Calan - The Immortality Paradox

Chapter Seven: Curse of the Calan, Part Two

Date: 198, OA19,654

Location: Llyfrgell, Prifddinas, Sylfaenydd, Canol system

The soul-wielders are communicating. The planet sings.

A cylindrical invertebrate twisted a pathway through the latticework of Llyfrgell. Born of the soil of Sylfaenydd, the Mwydyn knew its place well. A simple variable in the equation of the planet. It displaced and reconfigured the silicate around its shape as it transported itself from one chamber to another. It maintained a respectful distance from its immortal custodians but absorbed every quantised wave from their conversation. There was a clandestine nature to the exchange. Shimmers of energy from the Llyfrgadwyr were distant in the labyrinthine complex.

One of the soul-wielders communicated first. Their melody could be described as lively and instinctive. The immortality paradox is the harmony of blessing and curse. We are blessed to experience the relative passing of time forever, yet memories are ephemeral. Elusive enough to drift away as we regenerate at the Coeden. It is why Llyfrgell is comforting. Surrounded by our history. Tudalennau whispering and reminiscing about configurations of time that have long dispersed under entropy.

The second retorted. Quiet and conservative. Over a hundred rotations away from Sylfaenydd have presented sentimentality within you, Cymydog.

The rejuvenation at Coedwig rekindled my Enaid as well as my Coronwraidd.

Is the rest of the Universe so debilitating?

A Calan wandering alone through the fabric of reality is a terrible concept. It is not as intended.

The role of ambassador is essential. However, does the network of agents remain a functional enterprise?

...Humanity is again on the precipice of chaos, unaware that these are consequences of systematic negligence. Isdyfiant proves itself to be a prognosticator of Human demise. Do not consider its existence a betrayal of their confidence, Llywydd; any alternative would have been detrimental to the delicate equilibrium of diplomacy, including the option of continued Calan occupation. Without the agents, the civil war between Leonians and the Syndicate would have resulted in the Canol system's destruction. And Calan the only survivors due to stubborn apathy. One of several examples.

The enaid of this immortal percolated with freedom and eccentricity - the Mwydyn identified their designation as Gobeithiol Ysbryd. All Calan were tethered like the force of gravity to Sylfaenydd's source, but Ysbryd's attachment was fleeting.

I do not doubt its impact, Cymydog. The leader of the Calan was unmistakable, their enaid powerful. My concern rests on its anonymity. Preparations for the Gathering intensify, and the United Systems Senate agree that our mantle should be restored in Human society. Any inclination of duplicity jeopardises our entire endeavour.

A root of Isdyfiant grows within the Senate itself. Every contingency has been considered and conceived.

They sing beautifully, though I do not know what this music means. The Mwydyn fixed itself above the occupied chamber, waiting patiently. Refracted photons from Tanwen coursed through a cavity above, filling the area with light. The Calan below bathed in its radiance.

The roots of a Coeden are unbreakable, more entrenched in immortality than even the Calan. Our agents may imitate these roots, but they could never be as enduring. Gwreiddyn's demise has corroborated that hypothesis.

A somberness dulled the atmosphere. Gwreiddyn's sacrifice may not be entirely futile.

What information had been collected?